"COME AND SIT BY MY SIDE" : FAWM

COME AND SIT BY MY SIDE

Liner Notes

And so it begins. Song put together in Cakewalk with the music "generated" in Band In A Box--two pieces of software I've used since 1992... (Back in 1992, we didn't even know how to SPELL "AI"...)

My usual patented and sprint-appropriate "one-take vocals".

Lyrics

COME AND SIT BY MY SIDE

Words & Music By Jerry Pettit Facebook.com/JerryPettitMusic

I seen you standin' by the fence line yesterday, Starin' out at nothin', like your eyes were somewhere else. You didn't say a word, but I could read it plain as day, The weight that you been carryin' all by yourself. So I walked on out there slow, didn't say a whole lot, Just put my hand upon your shoulder, and said,

CHORUS: COME AND SIT BY MY SIDE, Ain't no need to explain. COME AND SIT BY MY SIDE, Let me carry some of that pain. You don't have to talk if talkin's hard to do, I'll just sit here quiet till the quiet gets you through.

Now I ain't got many answers, never claimed that I did, Life's been kickin' me around since I was just a kid. But I learned one thing travelin' this old dusty road, A burden's twice as heavy when you carry it alone. So I ain't gonna preach to you, and I ain't gonna judge, I'm just gonna be here— that's as far as love can budge.

My daddy used to tell me, "Son, the strongest thing a man can do Is admit he's hurtin' bad and let somebody help him through." I didn't understand it till I lost near everything, Then a friend sat down beside me, and I heard what daddy'd been sayin'. Now I'm passin' on that gift the only way I know, Just showin' up and stayin', when the storms start to blow.

BRIDGE There ain't no shame in breakin', child, we all break down sometime. There ain't no shame in cryin'— these tears, they ain't a crime. The Lord don't ask for perfect, He just asks that we don't hide. So don't you hide from me now, COME AND SIT BY MY SIDE

Comments

@robinleaf 3d

This is lovely! And I had no idea that software was so old lol. I never had the opportunity to play with it. So many great lines here and you have completely nailed the vibe, like this feels like a warm hug enveloping me when I need it the most.

I really love this:

I'll just sit here quiet till the quiet gets you through.

@johnkaniecki 3d

Captures those moments when words really lose all power and being there is everything.

@zecoopTEAM 4d

Man, that’s an awesome song. Love your phrasing especially. “So I walked on out there slow, didn't say a whole lot” made a big impact. Sterling lyrics and a beautiful arrangement. I love that the chording doesn’t always go where a basic song would. The change ups in the tempos also added a lot. Well done!!

@jeff9 4d

I love "Til the quiet gets you through"! Man, Jerry, you are just getting better and better on the production front. Your fine vocal and music balance here is superb. For me, the song itself is just beautifully tender-hearted without a hint of sappiness. And no, BIAB, although it's recently incorporated an option for some AI elements, is not intrinsically generative AI whatsoever unless you choose to invoke those specific elements. I'm involved with a UK based group called Talent Is Timeless that holds a global songwriting contest where they have explicitly required AI-assisted entries to be entered in an AI category. Their statement:

"Band-In-a-Box and Logic Pro Session Players are not considered AI-assisted in the way we're defining it for the competition. These are production tools that use pre-recorded loops, samples, or virtual instruments. They're fundamentally different from generative AI tools like Suno, which create original audio based on prompts and instructions.

Our AI Definition:

When we refer to AI-assisted entries, we're specifically talking about generative AI—tools that create original audio, melodies, or arrangements based on your input. Using Band-In-a-Box or Logic Pro Session Players to produce your recording is just part of the normal production process, similar to using any other DAW or virtual instrument.

In Short:

If you've written your lyrics, melody, and arrangement yourself, and you're using Band-In-a-Box or Logic Pro Session Players to record those ideas, you would not need to declare it as an AI entry. You would simply submit it as a standard entry. If there is any doubt, we use an IRCAM AI detection system that flags if there has been any AI assistance in the production."

@ttg105 4d

Lovely song packed with your classic-70s-singer/songwriter-melodies. Love the "I'll just sit here quiet till the quiet gets you through" line and the way you sing it. Nice pedal steel and change-up at the bridge!

@wynia 5d

This is easy on the ears! I particularly love the throwback style with the keys over acoustic and the chorused vox. The solo guitar in the back is a nice touch too

@newukenewyork 6d

You've deftly accomplished a country vernacular that rings true, not forced. Very nicely constructed. "till the quiet gets you through" is the perfect pin to put in this.

@tjeff 6d

Sounds so good as usual Jerry. Love the story and your vocals are outstanding, both the leads and the harmonies. As an introvert I can relate to being quiet lol! My wife is a super-extrovert so she speaks for me! I enjoyed listening!

@gwynjones 6d

That's a pretty and catchy number Jerry, with your trademark well written and thought out words, topped off with those poptastic vocals of yours!

@musicsongwriter 6d

Jerry is back with his gorgeous treats! Brilliant song full of energy and positive vibes 🙏🎵🎤👏👏👏 Beautiful vocals, playing, instrumentation and sentiment ❤️

@paul_pedersen 6d

Jerry's in the house! This is a great blend of empathy and wisdom. Lots of good lines, such as: "A burden's twice as heavy when you carry it alone."

@cindyrella 6d

This is breathtaking! Perfect lyrics and what a performance! Love!

@sbs 6d

Maybe we sleepless souls need to listen to this before bed. Lovely lullaby!

@ductapeguyTEAM 6d

That's medicine in song form for sure. The chorus tugs at the heart strings.

@billwhite51 6d

you cant go wrong with a chorus that begins with the first line of my favorite cowboy love song. especially when you take it in your own direction into those verdant fields of romantic verse and song. my life is always refreshed with a morning listening to a new song from jerry.

@gm7 6d

"Now I ain't got many answers, never claimed that I did, Life's been kickin' me around since I was just a kid" Cool lines and so relatable forso many people. well done

@kahlo2013 6d

What a beautifully supportive song. I love the flow of the melody and the feelings the words create. The lyric is so full of empathy and understanding.